December 24, 2025 • 14 mins
Underneath the starlit sky, surrounded by hay and animal filth, the Savior of the World and Hope of Heaven is born. The climax of creation and crescendo of the cosmos takes place in the most humble of contexts.
Today's Bible verse is Isaiah 7:14, from the King James Version.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold,
the Virgin will conceive and bear a son, and shall
call his name Emmanuel Isaiah seven fourteen. Lord Jesus, Emmanuel
God with us. We thank you for coming down in
(00:23):
human likeness, for fulfilling prophecies, and for providing us with
a relationship that transcends our understanding. Help us to grasp
the depth of your love and the significance of your birth.
May our lives reflect the humility and purity you demonstrate
(00:46):
it as a child. Then may we embrace the new
beginning you offer amen.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Stars blanketed the night sky like white paint scattered across
a dark canvas. Ruling among the candescent lights was a
new star fixed above Bethlehem. It shone brighter than the others,
its radiance mimicking that of the moon. The silvery gleams
trickled downward like a stream from a mountain. Under the
(01:28):
lights was the stable carved in the hill. Behind the inn,
Joseph made a space for Mary to give birth. Time
was of the essence. He frantically swept and laid out
some blankets the innkeeper had given him. He turned to
his wife, whose back was against the stone walls. Joseph
sighed and shook his head. I'm sorry, Mary, this will
(01:53):
have to do. Mary held her lower back and belly
and inched her way towards him. I'm ready, she sighed.
She winced in pain and had Joseph help her onto
the blankets. Everything smelled like hay and soot, and the
breeze wafting in from the outside carried with it the
scent of sheep done. Mary couldn't help but chuckle. She
(02:15):
leaned back and wondered why the Lord was working in
this way. She had so many questions, but the sudden
contractions drowned out her thoughts.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Oh, he's coming, Joseph, He's coming.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Mary clenched her fists and with quiet determination, began to push.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Hello.
Speaker 5 (02:35):
I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible in
a Year podcast. But before we began, I want to
let you know about a unique ebook that's yours to
download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from Stress,
and my prayer is that it will help you conquer
the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress
(02:55):
in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free
from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham dot org slash stress.
That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. Christmas isn't just
about the birth of a child in Bethlehem. It's the
awe inspiring story of God coming down on the likeness
(03:16):
of Man, a theme heralded in the title Immanuel, which
means God with us. Do you ever pause to consider
what thrills God? Looking at the entirety of scripture reveals
that God finds joy in being among his people. He
was in the garden with Adam and Eve. He followed
(03:38):
Abraham's family. He dwelled with the Hebrews and the Tabernacle.
Then he dwelled in the temple among the people of Israel.
The incarnation of Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's
joyous pursuit of humanity. Let this episode remind everyone that
God wants to be with you. He wants to transform
(04:00):
your life, to fill you with His spirit, and to
guide you daily toward His kingdom. This episode will give
us an intimate glimpse into the birth of Christ. Mary
and Joseph behold the newborn King and experience awe, confusion, wonder,
and excitement. The birth of Christ invites us into all
(04:23):
these feelings. It's a truly.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Baffling thing that the God of all creation would humble
himself in the likeness of a helpless baby. Without further ado,
Let's listen to this cinematic retelling of the birth of Christ.
Afterward we'll reflect on the joys of Christmas.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
The stable was dark, only slightly lit by the oil
lamp hanging over Mary and Joseph. Mary's quiet and determined
breaths echo through the stable. Beads of sweat like pearls
descended down her brow. Is this a blessing or a
cur she murmured to herself. However, she knew it was
(05:03):
a blessing. She knew what awaited her on the other
side of her anguish God had foretold this day, and
she was determined to step into the promised hope. At
her side was Joseph, reassuring and steady. Hour after hour,
Mary strained. Finally, her shrieks of distress were replaced with
(05:25):
the tender whimpers of her mooding son. Joseph wrapped him
in his arms and wiped him with woven wool. He
stared into the child's eyes. There was nothing different about him.
There were no lights radiating from his eyes or humming
of heavenly house behind him. He was a baby, crying
and taking in the newness of life. But as Joseph
(05:48):
cradled him in his arms, he knew without a doubt
this child was exceptional, chosen, blessed. All the turmoil, danger,
and chaos he had to jaw was worth it for
the sake of this treasure he held in his hands.
We already know his name, he said to Mary. Mary
(06:09):
reached for her son and cradled him in her arms.
She stroked his face. His name will be Jesus, she whispered.
The Lord says. Mary pressed Jesus against her chest and
cried joyfully. He was the fulfillment of God's promise to humanity,
the good Shepherd of Israel, the savior of the world.
(06:32):
But at that moment, under the chilly night sky, he
was Mary's baby. Her heart fluttered at the sound of
his whimpers. Jesus, she whispered again, welcome. Joseph crouched beside Mary,
and the two stared at the child with dirting eyes.
It was a baffling thing to behold God himself, the
(06:53):
maker of the stars, the masters of the sea, was
with them among them the prophecy told by Isaiah, raying
in their minds like wedding bells. Therefore, the Lord himself
shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive
and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,
which means God with us. God was with them in
(07:17):
the flesh, voice whimpering, and eyes adjusting to the dim
lights of the oil lamp. A small gust of wind
blew through the cave, and he shivered. The maker of
the wind shivered as it blew. Mary could barely wrap
her mind around it, and perhaps never truly would until
it was time to behold his power over sin and death.
(07:40):
Joseph took Jesus from Mary and swadowed him tightly in
the tattered remains of the blankets Mary used to save
his life. He placed him in the manger where the
donkey fed, the same donkey that carried Mary from Nazareth. Joseph,
perhaps from exhaustion, felt his mind wander. He looked at
the craftsmanship of the manger and couldn't help but critique it.
(08:02):
That's when he realized, perhaps for the first time, that
he would raise this child to be a craftsman like
him he was going to raise the Son of God
to be a carpenter. What are you doing, Lord Joseph, wondered.
He stepped back and watched the boy gently fall asleep.
To the low humming of Mary's voice, the cave filled
with the warmth of her melody. There in a stable,
(08:25):
tucked in a mountain, Mary sang the same song of
redemption she had in the beginning, a song of salvation, redemption,
and hope, undying and unrelenting hope.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
He has shown his strength with his mighty arm, scattered
the proud and humbled behind. He has shown his strength
with his mighty arm, scattered the proud, humbled the heart.
(09:03):
He toppled the mighty from the rooms, and lifted the
humble and set them apart. Now all generations were calmly plicity,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy,
(09:26):
holy holies, his Man, his mercies, those who believe.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
On that First Christmas, the Messiah was born under a
canopy of stars and surrounded by livestock. Jesus' birth fulfilled
God's promise to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.
He promised there that one day a son of Eve
would be born to crush the work of Evi. That
promised son arrived not on a chariot or in a palace,
(10:05):
but in his stable. His humble arrival tells us that
God doesn't care for pomp and circumstance, but humility and passion.
The circumstances of Jesus' birth were foretold in numerous Old
Testament prophecies, signifying that God's redemptive plan was unfolding exactly
(10:27):
as he had intended. Isaiah chapter seven, verse fourteen said, Therefore,
the Lord will give you a sign. The virgin will
conceive and give birth to a son, and call him Immanuel.
This prophecy, given centuries before Jesus' birth, pointed to the
unique circumstances of his arrival and his divine nature. The
(10:52):
birth of Christ was not a random occurrence. It was
a carefully orchestrated Divine plan that fulfilled specific properpheses, providing
evidence of his messiahship. The title Immanuel carries profound significance.
It means God with us. That title symbolizes the intimate
(11:14):
relationship between God and humanity made possible through the incarnation.
God did not remain distant or detached from human suffering
and sin, he came down to live among us. In
Philippians Chapter two, verses six and seven, we see that Jesus,
being in very nature God, did not consider equality with
(11:37):
God something to be used to his own advantage. Rather,
he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of
a servant. Being made in human likeness, Jesus's arrival as
a vulnerable child demonstrates a profound humility and an invitation
(11:58):
to approach God with childlike faith. It also represents a
new beginning and the hope for redemption and renewal. The
Nativity story is not merely a historical account. It's a
story filled with mystery, drama, and profound theological truths. This
story illustrates God's profound love and willingness to enter our messy,
(12:23):
broken world. But why did Jesus have to come as
a child. Theologically, this has profound implications. By coming as
a child, God made himself approachable and relatable. He began
life on earth in the most humble and vulnerable state,
(12:44):
indicating his willingness to identify with the human condition. Jesus'
birth as a child also symbolizes innocence and purity, qualities
necessary for the one who would take away the sins
of the world. Lastly, the birth of a child represents
new life and hope. In Jesus, we see the promise
(13:08):
of a new creation, the fresh start for humanity. Reconcile
to God. May this Christmas season be a time to
reflect on the profound truth that God is with us.
He's not distant or aloof, but intimately involved in our lives,
offering hope, redemption, and a relationship that begins now and
(13:32):
lasts for eternity. Our story is not yet over. God
has orchestrated visitors to come and behold Jesus, and behind
the scenes, the plot will be made to find and
kill the newborn Messiah. Continue this epic Christmas tale with
us for the rest of December, and behold God's sovereign power.
(13:57):
Thank you for listening to today's Bible inny Year podas cast.
Before we go, I want to let you know about
a unique ebook that's yours to download absolutely free today.
It's called Breaking Free from Stress, and my prayer is
that it will help you conquer the daily task and
pressures and burdens that bring stress into your life. Download
(14:18):
your free copy of Breaking Free from stress today by
visiting jaggraham dot org slash stress. That's jagraham dot org
slash stress
Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold,
the Virgin will conceive and bear a son, and shall
call his name Emmanuel Isaiah seven fourteen. Lord Jesus, Emmanuel
God with us. We thank you for coming down in
(00:23):
human likeness, for fulfilling prophecies, and for providing us with
a relationship that transcends our understanding. Help us to grasp
the depth of your love and the significance of your birth.
May our lives reflect the humility and purity you demonstrate
(00:46):
it as a child. Then may we embrace the new
beginning you offer amen.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Stars blanketed the night sky like white paint scattered across
a dark canvas. Ruling among the candescent lights was a
new star fixed above Bethlehem. It shone brighter than the others,
its radiance mimicking that of the moon. The silvery gleams
trickled downward like a stream from a mountain. Under the
(01:28):
lights was the stable carved in the hill. Behind the inn,
Joseph made a space for Mary to give birth. Time
was of the essence. He frantically swept and laid out
some blankets the innkeeper had given him. He turned to
his wife, whose back was against the stone walls. Joseph
sighed and shook his head. I'm sorry, Mary, this will
(01:53):
have to do. Mary held her lower back and belly
and inched her way towards him. I'm ready, she sighed.
She winced in pain and had Joseph help her onto
the blankets. Everything smelled like hay and soot, and the
breeze wafting in from the outside carried with it the
scent of sheep done. Mary couldn't help but chuckle. She
(02:15):
leaned back and wondered why the Lord was working in
this way. She had so many questions, but the sudden
contractions drowned out her thoughts.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Oh, he's coming, Joseph, He's coming.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Mary clenched her fists and with quiet determination, began to push.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Hello.
Speaker 5 (02:35):
I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible in
a Year podcast. But before we began, I want to
let you know about a unique ebook that's yours to
download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from Stress,
and my prayer is that it will help you conquer
the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress
(02:55):
in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free
from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham dot org slash stress.
That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. Christmas isn't just
about the birth of a child in Bethlehem. It's the
awe inspiring story of God coming down on the likeness
(03:16):
of Man, a theme heralded in the title Immanuel, which
means God with us. Do you ever pause to consider
what thrills God? Looking at the entirety of scripture reveals
that God finds joy in being among his people. He
was in the garden with Adam and Eve. He followed
(03:38):
Abraham's family. He dwelled with the Hebrews and the Tabernacle.
Then he dwelled in the temple among the people of Israel.
The incarnation of Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's
joyous pursuit of humanity. Let this episode remind everyone that
God wants to be with you. He wants to transform
(04:00):
your life, to fill you with His spirit, and to
guide you daily toward His kingdom. This episode will give
us an intimate glimpse into the birth of Christ. Mary
and Joseph behold the newborn King and experience awe, confusion, wonder,
and excitement. The birth of Christ invites us into all
(04:23):
these feelings. It's a truly.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Baffling thing that the God of all creation would humble
himself in the likeness of a helpless baby. Without further ado,
Let's listen to this cinematic retelling of the birth of Christ.
Afterward we'll reflect on the joys of Christmas.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
The stable was dark, only slightly lit by the oil
lamp hanging over Mary and Joseph. Mary's quiet and determined
breaths echo through the stable. Beads of sweat like pearls
descended down her brow. Is this a blessing or a
cur she murmured to herself. However, she knew it was
(05:03):
a blessing. She knew what awaited her on the other
side of her anguish God had foretold this day, and
she was determined to step into the promised hope. At
her side was Joseph, reassuring and steady. Hour after hour,
Mary strained. Finally, her shrieks of distress were replaced with
(05:25):
the tender whimpers of her mooding son. Joseph wrapped him
in his arms and wiped him with woven wool. He
stared into the child's eyes. There was nothing different about him.
There were no lights radiating from his eyes or humming
of heavenly house behind him. He was a baby, crying
and taking in the newness of life. But as Joseph
(05:48):
cradled him in his arms, he knew without a doubt
this child was exceptional, chosen, blessed. All the turmoil, danger,
and chaos he had to jaw was worth it for
the sake of this treasure he held in his hands.
We already know his name, he said to Mary. Mary
(06:09):
reached for her son and cradled him in her arms.
She stroked his face. His name will be Jesus, she whispered.
The Lord says. Mary pressed Jesus against her chest and
cried joyfully. He was the fulfillment of God's promise to humanity,
the good Shepherd of Israel, the savior of the world.
(06:32):
But at that moment, under the chilly night sky, he
was Mary's baby. Her heart fluttered at the sound of
his whimpers. Jesus, she whispered again, welcome. Joseph crouched beside Mary,
and the two stared at the child with dirting eyes.
It was a baffling thing to behold God himself, the
(06:53):
maker of the stars, the masters of the sea, was
with them among them the prophecy told by Isaiah, raying
in their minds like wedding bells. Therefore, the Lord himself
shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive
and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,
which means God with us. God was with them in
(07:17):
the flesh, voice whimpering, and eyes adjusting to the dim
lights of the oil lamp. A small gust of wind
blew through the cave, and he shivered. The maker of
the wind shivered as it blew. Mary could barely wrap
her mind around it, and perhaps never truly would until
it was time to behold his power over sin and death.
(07:40):
Joseph took Jesus from Mary and swadowed him tightly in
the tattered remains of the blankets Mary used to save
his life. He placed him in the manger where the
donkey fed, the same donkey that carried Mary from Nazareth. Joseph,
perhaps from exhaustion, felt his mind wander. He looked at
the craftsmanship of the manger and couldn't help but critique it.
(08:02):
That's when he realized, perhaps for the first time, that
he would raise this child to be a craftsman like
him he was going to raise the Son of God
to be a carpenter. What are you doing, Lord Joseph, wondered.
He stepped back and watched the boy gently fall asleep.
To the low humming of Mary's voice, the cave filled
with the warmth of her melody. There in a stable,
(08:25):
tucked in a mountain, Mary sang the same song of
redemption she had in the beginning, a song of salvation, redemption,
and hope, undying and unrelenting hope.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
He has shown his strength with his mighty arm, scattered
the proud and humbled behind. He has shown his strength
with his mighty arm, scattered the proud, humbled the heart.
(09:03):
He toppled the mighty from the rooms, and lifted the
humble and set them apart. Now all generations were calmly plicity,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy,
(09:26):
holy holies, his Man, his mercies, those who believe.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
On that First Christmas, the Messiah was born under a
canopy of stars and surrounded by livestock. Jesus' birth fulfilled
God's promise to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.
He promised there that one day a son of Eve
would be born to crush the work of Evi. That
promised son arrived not on a chariot or in a palace,
(10:05):
but in his stable. His humble arrival tells us that
God doesn't care for pomp and circumstance, but humility and passion.
The circumstances of Jesus' birth were foretold in numerous Old
Testament prophecies, signifying that God's redemptive plan was unfolding exactly
(10:27):
as he had intended. Isaiah chapter seven, verse fourteen said, Therefore,
the Lord will give you a sign. The virgin will
conceive and give birth to a son, and call him Immanuel.
This prophecy, given centuries before Jesus' birth, pointed to the
unique circumstances of his arrival and his divine nature. The
(10:52):
birth of Christ was not a random occurrence. It was
a carefully orchestrated Divine plan that fulfilled specific properpheses, providing
evidence of his messiahship. The title Immanuel carries profound significance.
It means God with us. That title symbolizes the intimate
(11:14):
relationship between God and humanity made possible through the incarnation.
God did not remain distant or detached from human suffering
and sin, he came down to live among us. In
Philippians Chapter two, verses six and seven, we see that Jesus,
being in very nature God, did not consider equality with
(11:37):
God something to be used to his own advantage. Rather,
he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of
a servant. Being made in human likeness, Jesus's arrival as
a vulnerable child demonstrates a profound humility and an invitation
(11:58):
to approach God with childlike faith. It also represents a
new beginning and the hope for redemption and renewal. The
Nativity story is not merely a historical account. It's a
story filled with mystery, drama, and profound theological truths. This
story illustrates God's profound love and willingness to enter our messy,
(12:23):
broken world. But why did Jesus have to come as
a child. Theologically, this has profound implications. By coming as
a child, God made himself approachable and relatable. He began
life on earth in the most humble and vulnerable state,
(12:44):
indicating his willingness to identify with the human condition. Jesus'
birth as a child also symbolizes innocence and purity, qualities
necessary for the one who would take away the sins
of the world. Lastly, the birth of a child represents
new life and hope. In Jesus, we see the promise
(13:08):
of a new creation, the fresh start for humanity. Reconcile
to God. May this Christmas season be a time to
reflect on the profound truth that God is with us.
He's not distant or aloof, but intimately involved in our lives,
offering hope, redemption, and a relationship that begins now and
(13:32):
lasts for eternity. Our story is not yet over. God
has orchestrated visitors to come and behold Jesus, and behind
the scenes, the plot will be made to find and
kill the newborn Messiah. Continue this epic Christmas tale with
us for the rest of December, and behold God's sovereign power.
(13:57):
Thank you for listening to today's Bible inny Year podas cast.
Before we go, I want to let you know about
a unique ebook that's yours to download absolutely free today.
It's called Breaking Free from Stress, and my prayer is
that it will help you conquer the daily task and
pressures and burdens that bring stress into your life. Download
(14:18):
your free copy of Breaking Free from stress today by
visiting jaggraham dot org slash stress. That's jagraham dot org
slash stress
Host
Jack Graham
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